Thursday, January 29, 2015

Did the love affair of Prithviraj and Samyukta change the fate of the Nation?.

Prithviraj Chauhan (Rai Pithora), the famous King of Delhi lived a life of 43 years (1149-92) and died in a war of Taraori in 1192, but his life was the turning point in the history of India.

His mother Karpuri Devi and maternal aunty (mausi) Roop Sundari were daughters of King of Delhi Anangpal III of Tomar dynasty. The son of Karpuri Devi Prithviraj became the King of Ajmer at 13Y of age. The son of Roop Sundari, the cousin of Prithviraj, Jaichand Rathore became the King of Kannauj, the kingdom of present days UP and Bihar.

Both wanted the throne of Delhi as their maternal Grand Father Anangpal III had no son. It had been turned into fights between the cousins. Finally, Anangpal selected Prithviraj for the throne of Delhi looking to his bravery and victory in wars.

Jaichand had a beautiful daughter named Samyukta (Sanyogita). She being attracted with the bravery of Prithviraj, fall in love with him. He in turn also fall in love with her. Jaichand insulted Prithviraj by erecting a statue that depicted him as a door keeper during the Swayamvara of Samyukta. But Samyukta placed garland on Prithviraj's statue and Subsequently, Prithviraj (26Y) (uncle) eloped and married Samyukta (?Y) (niece) against her father's wishes. Thus, Prithviraj and Jaichand became sworn enemies. It was a popular love story of that time but his elopement with Samyukta in 1175 changed the fate of the Nation.

Now imagine the story from Jaichand side. Can you accept such relation in 21st century? It was a public insult of King of Kanouj Jaichand Rathore. He was unable to fight war with Prithviraj but it is said that he allied with Ghori or didn't help Prithviraj in the war with Ghori.

As the borders of Ghori and Prithviraj domains were clashing near Bharinda, In the first battle of Tarain in 1191, Prithviraj defeated Muhammad Ghori but released him on mercy. But Muhammad Ghori rebuilt his strength and defeated him by attacking before Sun rise in the second battle of Tarain in 1192. He was arrested and executed in Afghanistan. Samyukta performed Jauhar. In 1193, in battle of Chandwar, Muhammad Ghori defeated and killed Jaichand Rathore also.

Instead of going away from the country, Muhammad Ghori stayed and gifted the throne of Delhi to his slave Kutbuddin Aibak, the founder of Slave dynasty. It was an unfortunate event of history of India that has established Muslim rule over the country for 665 years.

Rajputs were brave but disunited, fought wars with bravery, did kesariya, their wives performed Jauhars, but couldn't save the country from going under the foreign rule. However, it is also necessary to note that they saved the country for 600 years (7-12 century) from many attacks and invasions of Muslims from the west.

It is difficult to conclude that India might not had Muslim rule if Prithviraj didn't fall in love with Samyukta, but their love affair did matter changing the fate of India.